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Vancouver Approves $300K in Grants for Businesses on Fourth Plain
The city's 'international district' has seen major revenue drops due to federal immigration policies.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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The Vancouver City Council has approved a $300,000 grant program to support small businesses along the Fourth Plain corridor that have experienced significant financial losses, often over 40% of revenue, due to the impacts of federal immigration policies under the Trump administration. The grants of up to $10,000 per business can be used for immediate needs like payroll, rent, and utilities.
Why it matters
The Fourth Plain corridor in Vancouver is known for its high number of immigrant- and BIPOC-owned businesses, ranging from restaurants to mechanic shops. Many of these businesses have seen a sharp decline in customers and revenue as the local immigrant community has become fearful of leaving their homes due to increased federal immigration enforcement actions.
The details
The grant program targets businesses that have experienced losses of at least 40% of their revenue in the past year. Frutas Locas, a smoothie and snack shop, has seen a 70% drop in business over the past year. Many other restaurants and shops on Fourth Plain are also struggling to pay rent and bills. The funding for the program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and is specifically allocated to the Fourth Plain investment area.
- The Vancouver City Council approved the grant program on Monday, February 24, 2026.
- The grants must be awarded within six months of the program's inception.
The players
Gabriela Mendoza
The owner of Frutas Locas, a smoothie and snack shop on Fourth Plain that has seen a 70% drop in business over the past year.
Nicole Davison Leon
The executive director of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, which serves approximately 700 businesses in Portland and Southwest Washington.
Chris Harder
The deputy director of economic prosperity and housing at the city of Vancouver.
Troy Price
The Vancouver Police Chief, who has reiterated that his department does not cooperate with federal immigration officers.
What they’re saying
“People are not coming inside because they are scared. The family is inside in the house. My business is very, very slow.”
— Gabriela Mendoza, Owner, Frutas Locas (OPB)
“We've definitely seen an influx in businesses reporting up to 60% of sales reductions. Between 40% and 60% of sales reductions compared to the previous year.”
— Nicole Davison Leon, Executive Director, Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (OPB)
“We hope to do this pretty quick, because I think the needs are now, not two months from now.”
— Chris Harder, Deputy Director of Economic Prosperity and Housing, City of Vancouver (OPB)
What’s next
The city will work with a to-be-determined nonprofit organization to run the grant program and distribute the funds to eligible businesses within six months.
The takeaway
This grant program provides a concrete, if indirect, response from the city of Vancouver to support immigrant- and BIPOC-owned businesses that have been negatively impacted by the climate of fear created by increased federal immigration enforcement actions in the local community.
